By Stellamaries Amuwa
The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajia Aisha Ibrahim Bura, has commended NAWOJ FCT for taking advocacy directly to the grassroots, describing the marketplace outreach as a bold and impactful step towards empowering women where it matters most.
Hajia Ibrahim gave the commendation during a marketplace advocacy programme held at Wuse Market, Abuja, organized by NAWOJ FCT in collaboration with partners.
She urged the market women to prioritize their health while taking deliberate steps towards leadership and active participation in the 2027 general elections to enhance women’s representation in governance.The National Chairperson stressed that the era of marginalisation must end, declaring that women must no longer remain passive participants but active to influence outcomes, take leadership, and win elective positions. “No more silence on gender-based violence. No more ignorance about health and reproductive rights. No more exclusion from economic opportunities across the value chain. And certainly, no more absence of women in leadership as we approach the 2027 elections,” she said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson, NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, said the initiative was designed to take information, empowerment, and life-saving knowledge directly to the grassroots.
“As women journalists, we go beyond reporting, we advocate. That is why we are focusing on vaccine awareness, women’s rights and empowerment, reproductive health, and women’s participation in politics.” She advised women to always speak out and speak up and seek help stressing that women must be alive to be married .
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Vaccine Network, Dr. Chika Offor, addressed vaccine myths and misconceptions, particularly emphasizing the importance of HPV vaccine uptake. She urged women to ensure their children are fully immunised, noting that vaccines remain a critical tool in preventing life-threatening diseases.
In his presentation, Dr. Ejike Oji spoke on reproductive health and emphasized the importance of women enrolling in the 5 Million Women Database initiative. He explained that the platform is designed to empower women through access to health information, telemedicine, skills development, and economic opportunities. Dr. Oji reiterated his organisation’s commitment to building a digital ecosystem that supports women especially those in the informal sectorto improve their livelihoods, visibility, and access to services.
In a keynote address sent to the event , on “Women Access to Raw Material Value Chains: A Pathway to Economic Empowerment, Inclusive Growth, and National Development,” the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) emphasized the need to integrate women into the core of Nigeria’s economic value chains.
The Council commended NAWOJ for creating a strategic platform that connects policy discussions to the grassroots, noting that markets remain the true heartbeat of commerce and livelihoods. It highlighted that although Nigeria is richly endowed with raw material from cassava and cotton to shea butter, sesame seeds, and solid minerals women still operate largely at the lowest and least profitable levels of the value chain.
